R-744 unit: the future of heat exchangers

The use of R-744 as working fluid is a well-established reality in the refrigeration industry and the number of new R-744 plants is continuously increasing. Air cooled unit coolers and air cooled R-744 gas coolers have to ensure high and reliable performances.

The Eurovent program Heat Exchangers for refrigeration (HE) involves the major manufacturers of the market. The program, based on a voluntary approach, certifies the products performance through selection software validation and product testing in a third part laboratory. R-744 unit coolers and gas coolers are included in the certification of heat exchangers.

Due to the peculiar properties of R-744, a dedicated performance evaluation process was established and in the third part laboratory was realize a new state of the art test ring. Reliable thermal capacities of R-744 unit coolers and R-744 gas coolers are essential to reach the expected performances of the refrigeration plants and to keep the overall power consumption at the predicted values.

This presentation will discuss
- R-744 in refrigeration: phase down of HFC, applications, type of products, market growing.
- Eurovent certification: general introduction of ECC, programs, activities.
- R-744 certification: performance declaration, standard conditions; focus on gas cooler.
- Test campaigns: TUV lab, description of the test plant.
- Importance of reliable heat exchanger performances in order to ensure the design energy   
  consumption of the refrigeration plants
- Conclusion: future commitment of ECC in certification of R-744.